[center][img]https://i.imgur.com/ONd4lpK.png[/img][/center]
[color=00F8FE]Time: Morning
Location: Papa Edin’s big important tea party!
Interactions: Mina [@Tae], Alexander [@FunnyGuy][/color]

[color=9FA1A4][i]Special brandy?[/i] Callum was immediately interested, and clearly, he had to know what exactly made Kolonivka’s brandy better than the rest. [color=00F8FE]“Kolonivka's special brandy? It would be in poor taste to turn down such a thoughtful gift. I wouldn’t want to offend our northern allies.”[/color] He sincerely hoped that a sampling of brandy was in his near future, it would be nice to mix up his choice of spirit and be able to call it cultural appreciation should anyone question it. 

But speaking of spirits he found himself confused as Mina kept using that word like it was a coded message. Did they have a shared history that he just didn’t remember? Possible. Was she at all those parties he had no memory of? He really couldn’t be sure of that. Even parties that other people easily remembered were ones Cal found washed away from his mind by alcohol. So he just nodded with a blank smile until she offered her support for his charity project. A deep exhale gave way to a wide grin as some of the anxiety lifted. A ‘yes’ from the first person he’d asked, and Wulfric had acted like this would be difficult. 

[color=00F8FE]“Excellent, thank you, Mina, you have no idea how good it is to hear that. Too many nobles here have little interest in those without fancy titles on their names.”[/color] He smiled at Mina, all his misgivings vanished and he was simply thankful to have someone new support him.

[Color=gold]“It's men like us that the others want to doom. The freethinkers. The men that wish to see their country flourish by the sight of all its people, not just the wealthy.”[/color]

Callum brightened at Alexander’s words, now entirely comfortable with the both of them. His head bobbed enthusiastically in agreement with the man who, with a single statement, cleansed himself of any resemblance to Edin. His hope momentarily faltered as Alexander seemed to decline his offer, only for him to announce that he would not be supporting the project on his own, but through the Black Rose Trading Company. [i]Wasn’t that Marek’s company?[/i]

As Alexander made his public announcement, Callum turned in Wulfric’s direction, smile wide and taunting as he gave his brother a thumbs up. Not only was he doing almost exactly what his brother had asked of him, but in a way that just had to be aggravating to his brother. Accidental perfection and Cal couldn’t be more pleased with how this was all going. It was now clear that Alexander was the perfect choice, his vision matched Callum’s, and Alexander had both ideas and a way with words. 

[color=00F8FE]“Wonderful suggestion, a silent auction, brilliant. Sir, I am not only grateful for this, but if you ever need anything don’t hesitate to ask.”[/color] Callum spoke once Alexander had finished speaking, and he meant it, if Alexander worked with Marek, he too could be trusted. [color=00F8FE]“Alexander Deacon, a beacon of light in a world growing darker, I have little doubt that is how people will think of you.”[/color] [/color]